Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-14
OPPOSED 10 sPIRiqUALIsM.
Rev. j. w. Rosan breaches Strong
Serm n on the Belief.

Ecv. j. w Rosan breaches Strong
Serm n on the Belief.
Rev. j. W. Rogan, pastor of the First
Presbyterian church, on Monterey
square, preache yesterday morning on
the subject of 'Spiritualism," The dis
course was occasIoned by the announce
ment that a spiritualistlc seance would
be given at night in the Theatre.
The preacher took exception to the
term splritualism and thought that spirit
ism Is the WORD which should be used.
Traces OF the profession OF what is known
as spirilualiem are found all through
history, Mr.. Rogan continued, and it is
no new thing. He called atIen-
ton to the fact that it is
regular religion with a creed, all
Its professors agreeing upon certain
leading doctrines. Taking up the phe-
nomena of spirit realism the speaker re-
viewed the three ways OF accounting for
them, Nine-tenths of the so-called mani
teetations were attributed to fraud, and
doubt was cast upon the genuineness of
the other tenth part of the phenomena.
SOME CASES CITED.
The case of the Rev. Arthur Waite was
cited as illustration. MIR. Waite was
once prOiessed spITitualist and was
9th the Davenport Brothers. He after
wards, however. became a Methodist
clergyman. and in exposing the claims of
spir.tualists he declared that he could
!. duplicate any phenomenon the spiritual
lists chose to produce. He was
challenged TO a public test in Boston.
and with much reluctance consented TO
the est. One Of the leading spiritualists
OF New England was the medium. From
al audience OF 8, 900 in fremont Temple
the medium allowed lady and gentle
man TO be selected for cabinet seance.
The medium and the lady and gentleman
entered the cabinet. He directed them
to place their hands on his head and
shoulders and he placed his hands on the
gentleman's shoulders. When the seance
was over the lady and gentleman con-
fessed that their faces had been brushed
mysteriogsly, the gentleman's cheeks had
been slapped, voices were heard and in
ytruments Were played.
Mr.. wATTE's TESTS.
eThe audience was puzzled. Mr.. Waite
then stepped into the cabinet with the
Bame lady and gentleman, and they had
the same experience they had with the
medium. Mr.. Waite explained that he
had so arranged the hands Of the parties
that he had one of bis free and used it to
produce the manifestations. The medium
slipped of the stage and disappeared.
The scientific view of spirituallsm was
next examined. Some put great deal
OF iaitn in an undefnable pshycic power,
akin to nervous energy or animal cleo
triclty, peTmaating the human body. I'm
der great excitement OF body or mind this
power comes into play, they say, and en-
ables mediums TO perform their manifes-
tations. The Whole of claIrvoyance is
accounted tor by the nervous principle CT
one person passing over TO the other.
EFFECT ON THE MIND.
The weli-known case OF the uneducated
servant girl who, ia q delirium, recited
passages In Hebrew from tile Old Tesla
ment was mentioned KS Indicative that
the human mind is wonderfully receptive
and retentive. The girl in question knew
nothing OF Hebrew, and in her normal
state knew not single word OF the
language. 1t was found, though, tnat
she had once been IN the employ Of
clergyman, who was in the habiSof read.
ing Hebrew In her presence.
According TO the spiritualistic view,
communication with disembodied spirits
is possible. That the preacher discredited,
and declared that even il it was so the
wpirits which are communicated with are
Certainly evil ones. Therefore, the COM
1shunication as u source OF religious
knowledge is utterly untrustworthy.'
Talmage, Joseph Cook, Agassiz. Gould
sand Horsford were quoted On the fruit OF
contrasted with Christian
'yty. A committee, composed OF the Jour
last named, after thorough investi-
cation OF the subject, made the
following report: at ia the
opinion Of the committee derived from
observation, that any connection with
bpiritualistic circles, so called, corrupts
the morals and degrades the Intellect.
They therefore deem 1t their solemn duty
10 warn the community against the coz
Eliminating influence which surely tends
70 lessen the truth OF man and the purity
Of woman"
10 conclusion the pastor urged his con-
gregation not 10 tamper with the unclean
ming, and ne advised all to stay away
from the exhibition.